There's something about moving water that transforms bass fishing from a casual pastime into an obsession. After fifteen years of chasing river bass from the Guadalupe in Texas to the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania, I've learned that rivers hold secrets no lake can match. Last spring, I watched a 6-pound smallmouth explode on a spinnerbait in […]

There's something almost magical about the first light of dawn when you're sitting inches above the water, paddle in hand, waiting for that telltale tug on your line. After six years and thousands of hours chasing fish from kayaks across Texas, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest, I've learned that kayak fishing isn't just about catching […]

Three weeks ago, I sat in my truck watching a spring storm pound Lake Travis for two solid hours. While most anglers called it a day and headed home, I waited. At 6 AM the next morning, I launched my kayak into water that looked like chocolate milk in some areas and crystal clear in […]

There's something almost magical about the moment when your kayak slides into a narrow creek arm and the noise from the main lake fades completely. Last summer, I watched my depth finder read 2.8 feet when a shadow emerged from beneath a sunken log. That 7-pound largemouth exploded on my Texas-rigged craw like it hadn't […]

Clean life jackets by hand-washing in cool water with mild detergent, scrubbing with a soft brush, rinsing thoroughly until water runs clear, and air-drying in a shaded, well-ventilated area for 24 to 48 hours. Never machine wash, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat. This simple process preserves your PFD's buoyancy material and extends its […]

Last spring on Lake Fork, I watched my fishing partner absolutely smoke me using the exact same lure I was throwing. We were both tossing green pumpkin Senkos along a grass line, but he was catching three bass to my one. The only difference? He was using some garlic spray attractant he'd picked up at […]

Picture this: you are halfway through an epic paddleboarding session when dark clouds roll in without warning. Within minutes, sideways rain transforms your peaceful morning into a soaking ordeal. Your phone, tucked loosely in your pocket, screen glitches and dies. This is not an uncommon nightmare for outdoor enthusiasts, and it is precisely why a […]

Yes, sharks do occasionally attack kayaks, though such incidents are extraordinarily rare. According to the Global Shark Attack File, there have been 21 documented kayak attacks since the early 1900s, with only a handful of fatalities. Most encounters involve curiosity rather than aggression, with sharks investigating kayaks as unfamiliar objects rather than prey. That three-foot […]

The rope went taut and my kayak shifted slightly. Twenty minutes into dragging a neodymium magnet along the murky bottom of Lake Travis, I'd hooked something substantial. Heart pounding, I carefully back-paddled to maintain balance while slowly retrieving what felt like a small anchor. Breaking the surface was a rusted tackle box, seized shut by […]

Finding the right kayak size can feel overwhelming when you're staring at dozens of boats lined up at the shop. I've been there - surrounded by kayaks ranging from tiny 8-foot recreational models to massive 18-foot sea kayaks, wondering which one actually fits my body and paddling style. After helping hundreds of paddlers find their […]